The Cliff Town House

With its enviable location overlooking St Stephen’s Green, the dining room of this handsome Georgian building is both elegant and impressive. A sister to the much feted Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore, Co Waterford, this urban outpost is a fashionable and bustling lunch and dinner spot.

The split-level dining room hasn’t changed much since Richard Corrigan ran it as Bentley’s, with its high ceilings, interesting light fittings and attractive oyster bar at the back of the room. Tables are dressed in crisp linen with good silverware and glasses, setting the tone for a fine dining experience.

This Dublin restaurants got a firm emphasis on seafood, with an appealing selection of shellfish specials on offer, perhaps Galway mussels with white wine, garlic and parsley or a vast seafood platter. Main choices include a selection of risottos, market fish like wild seabass or black sole on the bone and a few meaty offerings, perhaps filet of beef and Skeaghanore duck.

Menus are overseen byThe Cliff Collection’s Executive Chef Martijn Kajuiter, of sister property,The Cliff House Hotel, Co Waterford, and the cooking by Head Chef Sean Smith and hois teamhas flair, dishes are stylishly presented and a competent sommelier oversees an interesting wine list which offers great choice by the glass. Generally, staff are professional and efficient, although the overall dining experience would be enhanced by service that’s a little more engaging.

Upstairs there’s a smart bar for pre- or post-dinner drinks, which has retained its original aviation theme developed in memory of Dr Tony Ryan, and this boutique hotel also has a private dining room overlooking the Green as well as ten stylish bedrooms.